|7 March 2016|
USA
Agilent Technologies is to invest $80 million in an emerging biotechnology company with innovative next-generation sequencing technology. The investment secures it a 48% ownership stake in Lasergen and an option to acquire the remaining shares of the company for an additional $105 million.
The two companies will collaborate on building a next-generation sequencing solutions workflow for clinical applications, based on Lasergen’s Lightning Terminators(tm) sequencing chemistry. Lightning Terminators offer potentially faster, more accurate and less expensive genome sequencing than other technologies currently on the market.
“Agilent is investing in a team and technology that hold great promise for the future of genetic sequencing,” said Jacob Thaysen, president of Agilent’s Diagnostics and Genomics Group. “Agilent has been clear about its strategic intent to grow in the diagnostics space and, to that end, build a complete routine clinical NGS workflow. Our investment and collaboration are designed to accelerate Lasergen’s work in commercialising its novel technology, focused on developing a sequencing workflow aimed at clinical applications.”
“We’re excited to collaborate with a known leader in diagnostics and genomics,” added Mimi Healy, president and CEO of Lasergen. “Agilent’s experience of providing leading products, combined with our expertise in NGS chemistry, will allow us to develop a comprehensive solution designed to meet the needs of the routine clinical NGS market.”
